Insert Project Title in English (here)
)‫عنوان المشروع باللغة العربية (هنا‬
Submitted under
Principal Investigator, Dr. Xxxxx Xxxxx, Rank
Department XXX
Date:
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
The following guidelines and procedures have been established by KFUPM so as to expand
the scope of industry experience to its Faculty
* The Industrial Sabbatical Proposal preparation must follow the below specified Guidelines.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM
The University subscribes to the notion that Faculty members’ professional careers is
enriched by practical experience gained through an industry placement with a reputable host
organisation /organization, domestically, regionally, or internationally. The interaction with
local and international industry helps in identifying local needs and problems faced by local
industries, as well as providing faculty with knowledge and accrued experiences gained in a
non-Academic environment, thus contributing to the development of both academic
teaching programs as well as the University’s research.
Industry experience leave must not be confused with current University sabbatical leave
program. Industry experience leave is intended to be of a more general nature in submission
which is quicker and less onerous in the review process. Sabbatical leave is designed to
provide KFUPM Faculty with a change of atmosphere, in order to pursue activities with
scholars in reputable academic and research organisation with the aim of pursuing or
extending research in the faculty’s area of interest.
The current stage of Saudi Arabia’s economic and industrial development necessitates a
strong interlink between Academia and Industry through such Faculty industry placements.
The envisaged Saudi privatization program and industrial diversification base of the
economy requires a two-way flow of ideas between researchers and industry that will be of
benefit to both in the form of developing research-oriented expertise, gaining industry
specific experience or creating an engineering design or product. This two way linkage is a
common feature of cutting edge research and technology/engineering based international
universities.
KFUPM is keen to expand the scope of industry experience to its Faculty through this
program and has established the following procedures and guidelines for eligibility.
ELIGIBILITY
Saudi Faculty is eligible to apply for a one year Industry Experience Leave based on the
following:
 Served for a minimum period of 5 years at KFUPM with 3 years minimum continuous
service
 Must have authored, at the minimum, 2 published papers, OR
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
 Was awarded a minimum of one University funded research project as Principal
Investigator and which led to research publication of a minimum of 1 paper.
A shorter period (one semester) industry leave may also be granted for those who served the
University for a minimum period of 3 years.
Faculty can take one or either of current sabbatical leave or industrial experience leave every
five years.
EXTENT OF SUPPORT
The leave benefits might include full monthly basic salary, regular transportation allowance,
return air tickets for Faculty members and their eligible dependents, research support and
medical allowance.
HOST ORGANIZATION
In order to maintain KFUPM quality standards, applicants for industry experience leave will
be encouraged to seek placements with host organizations who have the following
characteristics:



Name recognition in the field of the applicant (domestically, regionally or
internationally).
Capable of providing quality applied and/ or basic research environment in the
related field of the Faculty area of specialization
Able to sustain a full year placement by providing a wide range of industry
experience, rotation as well as specialist training, if needed.
These host organizations can be:




Other educational institutions but only with those that have already demonstrated
an active University/industry linkage for the Applicant to benefit from both host
institutions or organizations (Academic and Industrial).Specifically, the Academic
Institution should have an independent Industry connection ,onsite or offsite , with
particular industries ,carrying out projects for that industry and to the benefit of only
that industry .
Primary industry
Commercial/manufacturing enterprises
Governmental organizations.
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
PROCEDURE AND REVIEW PROCESS
The process involves several stages for a successful implementation of the scheme.
(a)
Pre-Formal Application
A qualified applicant, as per the eligibility rules, should in the first stage, approach an
eligible host organisation on an “informal basis” so as to ascertain the likelihood of a
successful industrial experience placement with them. The Faculty member should be
encouraged to provide the host organisation with as much detail as possible about the
preferred area of industrial experience, as well as the host organisation’s capacity/readiness
to take on the Faculty, so as to jointly agree on a tentative plan of
placement/rotation/training/research cooperation.
(b)
Formal Stage of Application

The applicant need to prepare a complete and detailed plan (Format A) setting out
the industry topic to be explored and its importance to him/KFUPM as well and/or
the host organisation, how the leave period will be used (whether there is a formal
agreed plan with the host organisation), the justification and selection of the
particular host organisation and its capabilities, and whether the industry placement
will be carried out in one or more organisations.

This proponent’s proposal/plan will be sent to the preferred host organisation, along
with an official letter from KFUPM (Format B) requesting their input to the plan, as
well as requesting their formal agreement to the industrial experience placement.

Upon receipt of the host organisation’s response and approval, (plus any other
suggested amendments to the submitted plan), the following documents will be sent
to two reviewers:




(c)
The proponent’s plan.
The KFPUM request for conformation to the host organisation.
The host organisation’s response and approval.
Proposal Evaluation Form.
Review Process


There will be two reviewers for industry experience leave – one External and one
Internal. For projects that are carried out within Saudi Arabia, there will be two
reviewers, one internal and one from within the Kingdom. For projects carried out
outside Saudi Arabia, there will be two reviewers, one internal and the other from
outside the Kingdom.
In a potential dispute of opinion, a third reviewer's opinion will be sought as per the
above reviewer’s classification.
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
(d)
Approval/Rejection


(e)
The correct identification of a host organisation and a fuller “informal” dialogue
between the host organisation and proponent on the area of
research/experience/training needed, will diminish the likelihood of rejection at the
final stages, so as to encourage further placement with reputable hosts for other
faculty in the future.
Upon receipt of the External Reviewers’ Comments, the applicant will be advised by
the University on the final status of his application.
Timing
In order to expedite the process, it is strongly recommended that intending Faculty
apply for such an industry experience leave at least six months before the intended leave
date.
COMPLETION OF INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE LEAVE

On successful completion of the industry experience leave, the Faculty should
submit the following documents for evaluation:
A Final Report providing details of his achievements versus the original intended
Industrial experience leave plan agreed with the host organisation or any deviation (if
any) as well as the benefits accruing to the Faculty, KFUPM and the host
organisation.
Host Organisation report on the Faculty concerning the period spent with them.

Both set of reports (a) and (b) above will be sent to the same reviewers chosen for
final evaluation, bearing in mind that final evaluation could take into consideration
any one of research publications, industrial problem solutions, new areas/patents or
special host organisation commendation for specific tasks carried out.

The Faculty member is to give one seminar to his Department on the benefits
obtained from his industrial experience leave.
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Format
A
PLAN OUTLINE
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
PLAN OUTLINE
Submitted by:
Rank:
Department:
1. Areas of Current Research and/or Specialization
2. Publications and University Funded Projects within the last 5 years
3. Proposed Host Organisation and Location
4. Are there any other co-host organisation involved in the industry experience leave and
reason?
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
5. Strengths/Justification of Choosing Host Organisation(s)
6. Proposed area(s) of experience with host organisation(s)
7. Pre-Agreed schedule of industry experience/other training with Host Organisation(s)
8. Expected Final Outcome/Benefit to Applicant/KFUPM/Host Organisation and/or
Industry
9. Other Supporting Material
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
Format
B
KFUPM
CONFIRMATION
LETTER
REQUEST TO HOST ORGANISATION
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King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Deanship of Scientific Research
KFUPM CONFIRMATION LETTER REQUEST TO HOST ORGANISATION
FOR SUBMITTED INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE LEAVE APPLICATION PLAN
To:
XYZ Organisation
Dear Sirs:
Re: Industry Experience Leave Application
We understand that Professor _____________________ of our _________________
Department is interested in pursuing a leave placement of _____ months with your fine
organisation to gain industry experience in the field of ____________.
We further understand that, in principle, you have no objection to this industry experience
leave placement As such; we submit the applicant’s formal plan outline on the intended area
of experience and areas of cooperation for your review and comments. We would appreciate
if you could kindly confirm his placement with your Organisation, along with any formal
schedule of experience activities, support, training or rotation envisaged while the applicant is
with you, and to which you have already agreed in principle.
We thank you for your kind consideration for this joint initiative which we hope will be of
mutual benefit to both parties, and await your response in order to complete University
formalities.
Sincerely yours,
__________________________
Chairman, Research Committee
Attachment: Proponent’s Plan Outline for Industry Leave Experience
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